Rafter framer



R. C. BROWNING.

RAFTER FRAMER.

APPLICATION man Nov. s. 1919.

Patented Apr. 11, 1922.

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R.C.BROWN1NG.

HAPTER FRAMER.

APPucATxoN FILED Nov. e, 1919.

Patented Apr. 11; 1922.

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citizen of the United States, residing.inlWil-l liamsport,' in the 'coiintyfof' 'Lycoming- `and AState "ofPennsylvania, have invented cer-y tain new and useful Improvements in lRatner Fi'arners5'of which 'the following is va'Specriiication. f

This invention Vrelates-to a. 'tool` for laying V1 0 off rafters andhas for its object topro'vide such ato-ol by'ivh'ich the various anglesand lengths ofcominon,v jack, hip, and"valley rafters, and tlie angles Y ofV cornice' and sheathing cuts, and cuts of cripple! .rafters 1 5 maybe laid oii` Without the necessity oipeoni-V plicated measurementsor calculations'.

Other objects of the invention (vill vap.-V

pear 'as the-description proceeds; `andivhile herein minute rdetails or' the in venio'nare described', the invention is, notv limited to these, since many and various changes niay be made Without departingr i'ioni'the' scope of 'the invention'as claimed. 'l ln the accompanying dravvingfshowing 2.5 by way oii'example, one of many possible embodiments of theinveiition,'V 'I Figure' lisa somewhat distorted perspee 'tive vview 'Showing the'v rafter iraineit adjusted for use; A -lf 340 f Figs. 2 andl'2n'fare a plan and fraginental side: Velevation respectively showingV 'the Vframer folded-g" 4 L l lilig,l 3 is an end elevation l Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmental perspective 35 views'showing the framer iii use for laying voff the top jor plumb ridge cuts andthe Aplumb 'seat cuts of jack rai'ters, aiidzhip and valley rafters respectively; y'

' Fig. 6 is a fragineiital side elevationshow- VVfio ing-fthe rafter trainer in use for laying ofi' the plumb 'seat cut andineasuriiig the depth-v or rise of the level. plat-e: out; and f F 7 is aninside Vi-agjmeiital 'side Aelevation' showing-the Yframer set for sheathing L15 and cornicecuts.. p

, T he principal element of my reiter ranfier on which the 'movable parts 'ofthe iranier are mounted Vconsists of a onepiece body port-ion l() coiiipiisiiig a ytop plate-11 and a.

5.0 side plate l2 disposed at right angles cach other (see F 3) and joining in a meeting line 13. The top andsidej'plates have at each end inclined indeX.-ed'g 'es' 4andflf (Figi l), pivot- Vlioles'land 5,5 the respective index edges and vthemeeting I Giflwhich will .edges'land 16er" theftop andlside plates i'orm respectively obtuseV and acute "angles platev togetherin #which:graduation theblacleshould be set is provided near its outer edge 22jabout on a transverse linewith the inner end; ofthe the arcuate; slot ivith a l'releperv slot 25 parallel with'the *meeting edge 13,Y the object present-'ly` appear.'4 `Said index' vided o nv'the nud-part of said topv plate Vll v near Said meeting yline 13 for convenience'in applying and' handlingthe `trainer. y "A topfblade28 is disposed against the in'- ner facie: of each end of the top plate ll and vliasfouter Working edgej 29.V )A :short vpivot` pin 30 is mount-ed in t-lie outer corner ofthe inne-r end of each top? blade 2S and is adapted' to engage. in said pivot. hole 17 when Y thetop'blade'is assembled in vworking` condi-V tionr (F ig.V 1),'V andftoV engage insaid keeper jiioie 23 I (Fig. 2a) when the top blade isl folded longit idinally 'against the inner `tace of the top platei `asVv for convenience inl stoi ing vvli'eii the 'franier is notinuse. A'clampi Vfing bolt 32.V (Figi 4) is ysecured on saidtop bla defaiid proJects throughtlie;arcuate silo-t 19,an'd is provded'with' a` Wing'nut v33 adapted to clamp. the top blade and top anyposition of vopen Y or i closed'(adjustririeiit;V l Jaclcrafter Vtopi ridge cut graduation's'z' (Fig. '17)' are provided on the top blade' andY "ad'aptecb'one at a tiine,"to'register with said Y indeiledg'e 15; and each graduation is pr.o

vided ivith`a.,pitcli number '36 designating at :to liaveits Working edge set in. position for laying 0E aline for the ridge top cut of jack rafters of the pitch 'specifiedbysuch pit-cli number. 1 Fig. 4 shoWst-heY fiamer ap plied to a port-ion' ofarater 3S andset or I l.*Speeiieatieiiofiecters.Pateiihfy l atnted A512119 i 'Aiipiication iiaiiv'ovmber 6,'1e1'9-.flsriai1vosaa'aoi 'l y line '13; and? areuate slots IQ and 20concen4 'i ftrie-.Withthe associated'pi-vot holes and ap.` p loachingsaid meeting line. The topfpl'ate .arcuate slot lQyxyith akeeper hole 23; and@ the; side plate' l2 is provided at the inner end lse the `top cuts of'jacl; rafterszof eight-inch l pitch.

f Hipand*.valleyridgeitopl out graduations.VV i 40 (Fig. 5) are provided on said top bladel 1 28 adjacent to Ythe outer edge of the end oi' tlie'ptop plate Whenthe top blade is set "for hip or valley top cuts Yand areeacli vprovided avitlifan associated :pitch number aLl. Y Gradv natio-m42' are providedfat theouterke'dge of* A each end of; the topfplate ll and arek each',

provided with a pitch number 53. Said graduations 42 and hip and valley graduations 40 are so positioned relative to each other that when the graduation 42 of any pitch nume ber is set opposite to the hip and valle)v graduation 40 of the same pitch number, the topblade will have its Working edge set for marking` olf the ridge top cuts ofV hip or valley rafters of roofs of such pitch. Fig. 5 shows the graduation designated by 8 on the blade set opposite the graduation 8 on the plate, and the blade is therefore set for marking the topcuts of hip or valley rafters of roofs having S-inch pitch.

.A plumb blade 45 is disposed against the inner face of each end of the side plate l2 and has an outer Working edge 46. A short pivot pin-47 mounted in the outer corner of the inner end of the plumb blade is adapted, when the blade is open, to engage in said pivot hole 30V of the side plate, and When the blade is closed, to `lie in the outer end of the arcuate slot 48 (Fig. 2) of the side plate. A clamping bolt 50 secured on said plumb blade and having a. clamping nut 51 thereon projects through the yarcuate slot 20 of the side plate when the blade is open and disposes itself in the closed end 5l of the keeper slot 25 when the blade is closed.

Common and jack rafter plumb cut graduations 53 (Fig. l) provided on said plumb blade are adapted, one at a time, yto register with the index edge 16 ofthe side plate, and are each provided with a pitch number 54 designating at which graduation the plumb blade should be set for marking the plumb cut of jack and common rafters. The plumb blade is shown in Fig.`4 set for the plumb cut of jack and common lrafters of 8- inch pitch,

Said plumb blade 45 is also provided at its working edge '55 (Fig. 6) With anV inch or other linear scale 56, for measuring y distances from the top face 57 of rafters for determining the depth at the level plate cut 58 of rafters. ln Fig. 6 the pitch is S inches, and the vertical distance from the level plate cut at58 to the top face 57 is 4 inches. The level plate cut 58 is laidoif by placing a square against the plumb cut line 59.

rfhe outer face of each end of said side plate 12 is provided With hip and valley plumb cut graduations 60, (Fig. 5), adapted, lone at a time, to register with the inner edge 62 of the plumb blade and each provided with a pitch number 6B designating the graduation at which the plumb blade sho-uld be set for marking` hip and valley rafter ridge plumb cuts for' hipand valley rafters for roofs of the pitch Yspecified by such pitch number. Fig. 5 shows the plumb blade set for ridge plumb cuts of hip or valley rafters for a roof of 8-inch pitch. Y

The innerk face of eac-h end of said side plate 12 (Fig. 7 is provided with sheath- -ing and cornice graduations 65 adapted one at a time to register with the inner edge `62 of the plumb blade 45. Each graduation 65 is provided With a pitch number V66 designat-ing the graduation at Which the plumb blade should be set for cornice, sheathing and edge bevel of purlin cuts on hip and valley of 'roofs of the pitch specified by the pitch number. Fig. 7 shows the plumb blade set for cornice cuts of a roof of 12-inch pitch.

The rear edge portion of the outer face of said top plate 1l (Fig. 1) is provided near its mid-part with graduations 7 0 each having associated therewith a pitch number 71 and a length number 72 representing the corresponding common rafter length for one foot run for a roof of such pitch. These lengths are given in inches and hundredths of inches The rear edge 22 of one end of said top plate ll is provided With graduations 75 Yeach having associated therewith a pitch number 76 and a length number 77 representing the corresponding rafter length for hip Aand valley rafters for each foot of run of roofs of such pitch.

The distances from Vthe graduations and to the end 78 of the body portion are the actual lengths represented by the corresponding associated length numbers 72 and 77, so that these lengths may be measured from the framer direct Without the aid of any other scale.

The note to which attention is directed by the adjacent arrow (Fig. l) is merely a reminder that all jack rafters and cripples of anypitch arecut one length shorter for` one foot center to center, two lengths shorter for tivo feet center to center, etc.

The object of having the blades provided on both ends is to permit the laying off of.

both right and left-hand rafters, and for cripples.

1t is noted that the Working edges 29V and 55 of the top and plumb blades intersect at about the same point. This makes it easy to lay olf both the top cut and the plumb cut with practically one stroke of thepencil or marker.

,The operation of the rafter frame will be easily understood from the foregoing. For the ridge cuts of rafters, the blades are set in accordance with the pitch graduation for the kind of rafter to be cut and the framer applied to the rafter as shown in Figs, 4 oi 5. rihen Vthe pencil or other marker is drawn along the Working edges of the bladeV thus making the mark on which the rafter is to be cut.

The length of the rafter is determined by house tvventy niet wide., find the-pitch num-1 ber' WA-'among the' pitchAv numbers A 5 and note' the corresponding l length number 19.21 immediately underlit. Asthe house Il the flength -o'f the rafter; Thisris most 'con, vv'eniently' done by merely measuring off tenv .I

" prising a top plate and aside plate; a topbeing QOf'eet Wide, itih'asa ten foot run. 'lherefore7 'multiply lth'e length number 19.21" by` 10a-nd one gets19210 inches as times 'the dista-nce from the end 78 t0 the graduation associated Withl the length num-Ky vI cfaimY as invention:V

l. In Combination, abodyportion vcompiis'ing a `top plateiand a side plate; a pivot'allyvdisposedtop' blade at each end of the top plate Vprovided With jack top-cut gradnationsA adapted to register with an edge of the top 'plate; the top plate' and topA blade being' provided;ivithgraduations for hip and Hvalley topcutsadaptedto register Vwitlreach other respectively and? a lpivotally disposed plumb blade' at each'. end of the side 'plate lprovided With common and jack plumb out 25 Vgraduation's adapted 'to1 register with an edge, O f the' side; plate; Athe vside 'platebeing' pro- "vid'edo-n the Wouter face thereof With gradiiation's' for hip. and valley plumb' cuts adapt-V ed to register with'ran edgefof theV plumb blade and provided 'on the inner face 'thereof Withxgraduations for sheathing and cornice cuts adaptedrto register with an edge ofthe plumb blade.V

2. 'Inoombinationg abody portion comprising a top plate anda side plate; a pir? the side plate; thev side Aplate being provided v on the outer faceV thereofcwith graduationsv for hip and valley plumb cuts Vadapted to register with an edge of the plumb blade.

s 3. In combination, a body portion coinplate pivotally disposed on the side plate; and a plumb bladepivotallydisposed on the side plate; the side plate. being provided on the out-er face thereof with hip and valley phunb cut graduations adapted to register with an edge ofthe plumb blade and provid'edon the inner 'face thereof with gradl uations forsheathing and cornice'cuts adapted to register with an edgev of the plumb blade. 1 i j L In combination, a body portion comprising a top plate anda side plate at right angles to each other; and a plumb blade pivotal'ly adjustablyV disposed against the inner end; common and 4jack rafter-pliimb `out bladeV being ftion compiisin '.disposed ,atirightanglcs to eachother'and line, the side plate being face of "saidend being provided with i grad# nations for sheathing and; cornice cuts' adaptface. ofitlieend oftheside plate; the` inner ed,Vl oneatfaltime, tov register. vvi-th theinner Y` edgebfthe plumbiblade and eachsu oh Y gradua'tionsgbeing"provi-ded with Va pitch number designating the graduation atl Whichv the ysheathing and edge bevel of purlin cuts on `iied by the pitch number.'

liip and valley of roofs of the pitch*specik 'plumb 'blade-y sh'ould befs'et forfc'ornice, Y

51 In combinatiom'a ybody portion ooinprising a side plate; and a-.plumb'= blade pi'v-V Y a otally adjustably disposed on theiside pla-te;V

Said plate being provi-ded with -graduations for sheathingandfcornice cuts adapted, one

the Vplumb blade andf eachsuchy graduation' being "provided g-with a pitch'n-u'mber desig- .K .Y n 1se Y Y'natingl the'graduation at which theY plumb at. a time, tofregister with? the inner; edgev ofl blade should be fsetfforoornice; sheathing` andv edge lbevel ofpu-rlin outs on hipand valley ofv roofs of the v*pitch specified by' the 6. 'In'fcombinat`ion;` a bcdyl'portion eomprising a top plate andfarside pla-te atright f angles thereto provided' with index` end edge; andaplumb bladepivotal-ly adjust#V ably V'disposed against thelinnerfface of vsaid graduations being' provided-jonl said*Vplurn'lblKV blade and adapted, one at aftime, to register with the index edgeA of the :said plate andV i each provided'witha pitchnumber design'at-Y ing jat which graduation Ythe A"plumb blade common rafters offsuch pitclnfsaid plumb tances from said meeting edge for determini ing-'the iise'at the seat out of rafters;rv

j 7.1 Incofinbinagtion, a one-piece body porg'atopplate and a sideplate joining in aj'meetingline; said `side V`plate having 'at one end an inelinedrindex.edge,v aVV Y pivot hole nearthe index edge and 'meeting line and an arcuate lslot concentric'with the pivot hole andapproachingsaid meeting provided With a' keeper slot "communicating With the inner I provided its'work'ing'edge i i 'Witl-ijginch grad'uations Yfor -mea'suringdis'- end of the arcuate slot and parallel with the 'y meeting edgeanden-tendingaway .from said index edge; a plumb blade disposed against the inner face ofthe end ofthe side-plate and having an outer 'Working edge; v a 'short pivot pin mounted Vin the outer corner of the:V

inner end of the plumb blade and 1whenthe blade isopen Vengaging in said pivot'hole .andV when theblade' is closed being adapted 'to` liein theoutenendof `the arcuateslot of Y n f the .side plate; and a clamping'boltfsecured I on said plumby blade and having a` clamping nut thereon rand adapted to project through the arcuate slot ofthe 'side'plateiivhen' the 10e Shouldbe set for theplumb cut o'f-jack Vand' keeper slot communicating with the inner end ot thearcuate slot and parallel Vwith the meeting-line; a plumb blade; a sort pivot pin mounted in the outer corner ot the inner end of tlieplumb blade and when the blade is open engaging in said pivot hole and when the blade is closedbeing adapted to lie in the outer end of the arcuate slot; and a clamping bolt secured on said plumb blade `and adapted to project through the arcuate slot ofthe side plate when the blade is open and to disposefitsel in the closed end of the keeper slot When the blade is closed.

9. In combination, a body portion comprising a top plate, and a side plate having a pivot hole, an arcuate slot concentric With the pivot hole, and a keeperA slot communicating with the arcuate slot; a plumb blade; a pivot pin mounted on the plumb blade and ladapted When the blade is open to lie in said pivot hole, and when the blade is closed to lie in the outer end of the arcuate slot; and a bolt secured on said blade and adapted to project through thearcuate slot when the blade is openV and to dispose itself in the closed end ot the keeper slot when the bladeV is closed.

10. In combination, a body portion comprising a top plate and a side plate atright angles to each other and each provided at both ends with an index edge; and a top blade Vpivotally adjustably Vdisposed against the face of each end ofY the top plate, hip and valley ridge top out graduations being provided on said top blade adjacent-.to the outer edge of the end oit the top plate when the top blade is set tor hip` or valley top cuts` and each provided with an associated pitch number, graduations being provided at the outer edge of each end ot the top plate and each provided With a pitch number, said graduations'and hip and valley graduations being so positioned relative to each other that when the graduation at the outer edge of' the end of the top plate ot any pitch is set opposite to the hip and valley graduation of the same pitch the top blade will haveits Working edge set for top cuts of hip or valley rafters tor a roof ot said pitch.

ll. ln combination, a body portion comprising atop plate and a side plate', and a top blade pivotally adjustably disposed against the top plate and provided With hip and valley ridge top cut graduations adjacent to the edge ot the top plate when the top blade is set tor hip or valley top cuts member,

and each provided With an associated pitch number, graduations being provided at the c edge ot the top plate and,l each provided with a pitch number, said graduations at the edge .of the top plate and'hip and valley graduationsbeing so positioned vrelative to each other that when the graduation at theedge of' the top plate of Vany pitch is set opposite` to the hip and valley graduation of the same pitch the top blade Will haveits Working edge set for top'cuts of hip or valley rafters for a roof oit said pitch. y

l2. ln combination, a body portion comprising a top plate and a side plate; and a top blade pivotally adjustably disposed against the `top plate and provided With hip and valley top cut graduations, each pro vided with an associated pitch number, graduations being providedon .the top plate yand each provided with a pitch number, said,

graduations and hip and valleygraduations being' so positioned relative toy reach, other that when the graduation otany pitchY is set opposite to the hip and valley graduation ot the same pitch the top bladev will have its Working edge set :tor top cuts of hip or valley rafters for a roof of said pitch.

,13. ln combination, a bodyportion comprising a plate; and a blade pivotally adjustably disposed against the plate, hip and valley ridge top cut graduations being provided on said blade, each provided with an associated pitch number, graduations being provided on said plateand each provided withV a pitch number, said gradiiations and hip and valley graduations being so posi# tioned relative to each other that When the graduation ofV anyrpitch is set opposite to the hip and valley graduation'of the same pitch the blade will be set for hip or valley top cuts of rafters of said pitch.

ist. ln combination, a bodyvportion comprising a plate member; and a blade member pivotally adjustablydisposed on the plate hip and valley top cut graduations being provided on one or' said members and each provided with an associated pitch number, graduations being providedon the other of said members and each provided with a pitch number, said graduations and hip and valley graduations being so positioned relative to each other that when the graduation ot any pitch is set opposite to the hip and valley graduation of the same pitch number, the blade member will be set for hip or valley top cuts of rafters of said pitch.

l5. In combination, a body portion comi prising a plate member; and ablade member pivotally adjustably disposed onthe plate member, pitch grada-ations being provided on one ot said members, graduations being provided on the other ot said members Y,and each provided withl a pitch number,fsaid gradiiations and pitch graduations being so iso the graduationof any 'pitch is set Aopposite to the pitch graduation of the same pitch the blade member will be set for said pitch.

A1:6.'In combination, a ,body portion comprising a plate member; anda blade memberpivvotallyV adjustably disposed on'the plate member, pitchf'graduations being provided on one ofsaid members, graduatioiis' beingv provided onjthe other member and adapted each to register with the corresponding pitch graduations'both sets: of graduations being near the 'pivoted ends yof the respective members. i

17. In combination, a one-piece body portion comprising a top plate and a side plate disposed at right angles toeach other and joining in a meeting line, thetop plate'having at one end an inclined index edge, af

pivot hole near the index edge and meeting line and an arcuate slot concentric with the pivot hole and approaching said meeting line, said top plate also being provided near its outer edge on aboutv a transverse line with the inner end of theV arcuate slot with a keeper hole; a top blade disposed against the inner face of the end of the top plate; a short pivot pin mounted in the outer corner of the inner end of the top blade and engaging in said pivot hole when the top blade is assembled inwerking condition and adapted tov engage in said keeper hole when the top blade is folded longitudinally againstl the inner faceofthe top plate; al clamping bolt secured on said top blade and projecting through the arcuate slot of the topl plate; and a Wing nut on `said clamping'bolt and adapted to clamp the topi blade and topv plate together in any position of open or 'closed adjustment.

18. In combination, a one-piece body portion comprising a top plate and a side plate disposed at right angles to each other and joining ina meeting line, the top plate having at one Vend a pivot hole near the meeting line, an arcuate slot concentric with 'the pivot hole and approaching said meeting line, and a keeper hole near its outer edge; a top blade disposed against the Yend ofthe -top plate; a pivot pin mounted in the outer corner of the inner end ofthe top blade and engaging in said pivot hole When Ythe top blade is assembled in Working condition, and

adapted to engage in said keeper hole when the top blade is folded longitudinally against miV the top plate; and aclamping bolt secured on said top blade andY projecting through the arcuate slot of the top plate.'

19. In combination, a bodyportion comprising a top plate and a side plate at right angles to each other; a top blade; and a plumb blade pivotally adjustably disposed against an end of the top and side platesrespectively, the rear edge of the outer f ace of said top plate being provided near its mid-part with graduations each having associated the-irewithv -arr pitch number? and Ythe 7 length number of the, vcorrespondingA common rafter length for each foot run of a roof of such pitch, the rear edge of oneend ofsaid top plate being provided With graduations each having associated; therewith aY pitch Ynumber andthe length number. of the corresponding rafter` leng'thffor hip and valley rafters for eachfoot run of 'aroof of Y Y' ate slot concentric With-the pivot hole, and

a keeper hole; a blade; a pivot pin mounted on the blade and engaging in said pivot hole when the blade is in Working position 'and adapted to enga-ge in said keeperv hole when the blade is folded against the plate; `and a bolt Vsecured on said blade and projecting through the slot. A a Y 22. In combination', a plate having a pivot hole and afslot; a blade; 'aclamping bolt passing through saidl slot and 'blade;`and a Apivot pin, separate from said bolt and mount-` ed on the blade and adapted when theblade the blade is opento lie in the Vpivot hole.

23. In combination, a body comprising a pair ofrplates disposed at an angle to each other and eachhaving at one end a pivot hole Y anda-slot; a bladedisposed against the end of each plate; a pivot pin mounted in the inner end of each bla-de and-engaging in saidV pivot hole when' the top bladeV is assembled in Working condition, andA disposed outside is closed to lie inthe arcuate slot, and when of said pivot hole when the blade is vfolded longitudinally'against the associated plate;

and a clamping bolt secured con each blade and projecting through theslot of the plate.

24. In combination, abody comprising aV pair of plates joining in ameeting line and each having at one endj'a pivot hole neary said meetingline; ablade disposed' against the end of each plate and each having a pivot pin mounted in thev outer corner of the inner end of the blade and engaging in said pivot hole when the top'blade isassembled in Workingcondition, and disposed outside of said pivot hole when the blade is folded longitudinally against the associated plate; and means additional to said pins for holding each blade to theassociated plate; said pivot holes being as near as practicable to said meeting line, whereby linesY coinciding With the Working edges of said blades when in any Working position substantially intersect to permit the same saw cut to follow the lines delineated from both of said Working edges. Y

25. ln combination, a body comprising a pair of plates disposed at right angles to each other and meeting in a line, each plate having at one end a pivot hole near the meeting line, and an arcuate slot concentric wlth 10 the pivot hole; a blade disposed against the end of each plate; ya pivot pin mounted in the outer corner of. the inner end of each 

